A Voxel‐Based Approach for the Generation of Advanced Kinematics at the Microscale

In soft robotics, the ability to generate advanced kinematics is a necessary step toward any more sophisticated tasks such as microobject manipulation, locomotion, or configuration changes. To this end, herein, modular voxel-based methodology adaptable scale and with transducer presented. The implemented at micrometer one-step fabrication process. An innovative gray-tone lithography method using two-photon polymerization of photosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel developed print voxels. Bending, compression, twisting voxels are designed, printed, characterized. A voxel consists an isotropically shrinking active material reinforced adequately passive pattern. Each elementary deforms along one degree freedom building block for superstructures able kinematics. With side length 40 μm, bending achieves angle 25º curvature 10 mm − 1 . compression reaches actuation strain 40%, bends up 18º. Advanced demonstrated by printing complex structures composed multiple Herein, foundation microrobots capable performing constituted.